A matrix formalism for the simulation of pyroelectric sensors

A pyroelectric sensor generates an electrical output signal as the response to incident radiation. Aside from the pyroelectric effect, the absorption of radiation and the heat propagation are essential for the signal generation. Therefore, the simulation of the sensor signal must cover the optical, thermal, and electrical processes. For the optical and thermal modelling of pyroelectric multilayer structures, a matrix formalism is given, which handles the propagation of electromagnetic and thermal waves in a similar way. Starting with the dielectric properties of the materials involved, the local absorption density is determined. With the thermal properties and the polarization distribution the temperature profile and the pyroelectric current are obtained. Implemented in a computer program, sensor signals of arbitrary multilayer sensors can be calculated. The method is applied to the modelling of integrated pyroelectric sensors.